Quebec Invests $60 Million to Diversify Sawmills Amid Forest Crisis
Quebec has pledged $60 million to diversify its sawmills, aiming to mitigate a forest crisis and counter a 45 percent U.S. tariff on Canadian lumber.
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697 storiesnewest firstlatest July 7, 2026page 22 of 35
Quebec has pledged $60 million to diversify its sawmills, aiming to mitigate a forest crisis and counter a 45 percent U.S. tariff on Canadian lumber.
Nine major Quebec labour groups have lodged a complaint with the ILO's Committee on Freedom of Association, challenging a new provincial law introduced by Minister Jean Boulet that they say restricts union activity.
Quebec is committing 60 million Canadian dollars to diversify its sawmills in response to a 45 percent U.S. tariff on Canadian lumber, aiming to mitigate the forest sector crisis caused by reduced exports.
Christiane Germain announced on July 7, 2026 that she is resigning from the board of directors of Québec’s government health corporation, Santé Québec, reducing its private‑sector representation.
Christiane Germain announced her resignation as chair of the Santé Québec board in July 2026. The agency, which oversees Quebec's health‑care system, will need to appoint a new board chair.
A technical failure caused Quebec’s exam results portal to crash on July 7, 2026, preventing students and parents from accessing final high‑school scores while the Ministry of Education works to restore service.
Quebec’s government expanded its open‑fire ban and tightened forest access on July 7 to lower wildfire risk, extending restrictions to most of the province’s woodlands.
Quebec ended its moratorium on agricultural land expansion in January 2027, removing the freeze on new farmland development and allowing growth in the province's farming sector.
Violent thunderstorms on June 20 damaged vegetable farms in Montérégie, prompting 396 damage notices with Financière agricole, while about half of growers are insured.
Quebec’s government has ended its moratorium on converting non‑agricultural land to farms, approving a regulation that will take effect in January 2027. The change allows eligible landowners to apply for agricultural reclassification under existing provincial guidelines.
Hydro-Québec aims to create 35,000 jobs in Quebec’s smaller communities by 2035, prompting a government official, Drainville, to urge better promotion of regional living to support the initiative.
Quebec has ended its moratorium on agricultural land conversion and will introduce a new regulation in January 2027 to manage future expansions. The shift aims to balance farm growth with environmental and planning safeguards.
Air Liaison has filed a lawsuit contesting Quebec’s sudden termination of its financial assistance agreement, claiming the move was made without notice or consultation.
A court interpreter was convicted on July 6, 2026 of attempted murder and illegal weapon possession for a January 2024 stabbing at a Longueuil courthouse.
Quebec announced regulatory reforms that could open up to 200,000 hectares for farming, earning praise from the agricultural union and concern from environmental groups.
Air Liaison is contesting Quebec’s decision to end its financial aid, alleging the Ministry of Transport acted without notice or consultation, and the airline plans to pursue legal and administrative challenges.
Former CAQ minister Pierre Dufour announced he will run for the Quebec Liberal Party in the fall 2026 election, citing the governing party's neglect of regional needs in Abitibi‑Témiscamingue.
Severe thunderstorms on July 3, 2026 caused damaging winds that left over 35,000 southern Quebec customers without electricity, prompting Hydro-Québec to launch extensive repair efforts.
Hydro‑Québec proposes a surcharge for residential households using over 35,000 kWh annually, affecting the top five percent of consumers, as part of a rate‑structure review.
Hydro‑Québec announced a July 4 recruitment drive to hire 35,000 workers for construction and other paid jobs across Quebec, aiming to counter a labor shortage as its infrastructure projects expand.